CJP protestors and students celebrate after Pradhan's resignationNEW DELHI: Saturday witnessed a series of major developments in the NEET paper leak controversy, beginning with Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation after weeks of nationwide protests. Hours later, Pralhad Joshi was appointed as the new education minister getting additional charge apart from portfolios of new and renewable energy and consumer affairs, food and public distribution. Meanwhile, the Centre and the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) held a third round of talks, after which the government agreed to withdraw FIRs filed against peaceful protesters. Following the meeting, the CJP announced the immediate withdrawal of its 36-day agitation at Jantar Mantar, saying it was ending the protest in "good faith" after the government accepted its key demands.The protest site was cleared after the CJP demands were met.The developments marked the biggest political fallout of the NEET controversy, which triggered nationwide student protests, a CBI probe and sweeping reforms to India's examination system.Here are the top developments:Pralhad Joshi gets additional charge of education ministryHours after Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation, President Droupadi Murmu assigned senior BJP leader Pralhad Joshi the additional charge of the Union education ministry on the advice of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.A five-time Lok Sabha MP from Karnataka's Dharwad, Joshi will continue to hold the portfolios of new and renewable energy and consumer affairs, food and public distribution. He takes charge at a crucial time as the government rolls out reforms following the NEET-UG paper leak, including restructuring the NTA, tightening exam security and shifting NEET to computer-based testing from 2027.After being given the charge, Joshi said: "The Prime Minister has placed his trust in me and has entrusted me with such a significant responsibility. With complete humility and a strong sense of responsibility, I will fulfil this duty...I thank the Prime Minister for giving me this important responsibility and for showing such great confidence in me. Under his guidance and leadership, I will work sincerely and try my best to meet his expectations in this department. With full dedication, humility, and honesty, I will work towards fulfilling this responsibility. I once again thank the Prime Minister for giving me this opportunity."Metro stations reopen after protest endsNormal Metro access resumed across Delhi after the CJP called off its 36-day protest, with the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) reopening the entry gates of all stations that had been closed because of security arrangements.The reopening came shortly after Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigned and the Centre reached an agreement with the CJP to end the agitation. Earlier in the day, the DMRC had resumed services at Rajiv Chowk, Mandi House and Central Secretariat stations before restoring entry and exit at all 18 affected stations, which had been placed under restrictions due to the protests near Jantar Mantar.Pradhan resigns, cites moral responsibilityAnnouncing his resignation in a letter addressed to the country's youth, Pradhan said he had submitted his resignation to Prime Minister Narendra Modi after considering the situation that had developed at Jantar Mantar and across the country.He said he had spent more than four decades working for students, teachers and education reforms and had always believed that a strong education system was the foundation of a strong nation. Pradhan said the government acted immediately after irregularities surfaced in the NEET-UG examination by handing the investigation to the CBI, cancelling the examination and announcing a fresh test, while also deciding to shift NEET to computer-based mode from next year.He added that he had accepted responsibility from the very beginning and had worked to ensure that no deserving student suffered because of what he described as an examination mafia. Recalling the events of the past few days had deeply saddened him, Pradhan said he was stepping down to prevent anti-national forces from exploiting the situation, safeguard national unity and allow students to focus on their education.Centre and CJP reach agreement after third round of talksHours after Pradhan's resignation, the Centre and the Cockroach Janta Party held a third round of talks, following which the student group announced the immediate withdrawal of its 36-day protest.Addressing a joint press conference with Union ministers JP Nadda and Jitendra Singh, CJP spokespersons Ashutosh Ranka and Saurav Das said the agitation was being withdrawn in good faith after the government accepted its key demands.The CJP said its primary demand, Pradhan's resignation, had been fulfilled. It also said the Centre had agreed to withdraw FIRs and legal cases against peaceful protesters and assured that no retaliatory action would be taken.The government further agreed to provide compensation to the families of students who died by suicide in accordance with existing rules and regulations and promised to consider the CJP's five-point charter on examination reforms.JP Nadda said the government had sympathetically considered the delegation's demands and would hold further discussions on long-term reforms to strengthen the examination system.Student movement ends after 36 daysThe CJP protest began at Jantar Mantar on June 20, demanding accountability over the alleged NEET-UG paper leak, wider reforms in the examination system and Pradhan's resignation.The movement gained national attention after climate activist Sonam Wangchuk joined the agitation with an indefinite hunger strike. His deteriorating health and later hospitalisation intensified public attention and increased pressure on the government.Although Wangchuk ended his 26-day fast after receiving written assurances from the Centre, the CJP continued its protest until Pradhan resigned and the remaining demands were addressed.Speaking after the agreement, Ashutosh Ranka appealed to protesters across the country to withdraw peacefully, while Saurav Das said the movement was ending with the understanding that all commitments would be implemented within the agreed timelines."Government accepted all our demands after 36 days of protest; we urge everyone to peacefully withdraw from protest sites," CJP spokesperson Ashutosh Ranka said.Earlier in the day, CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke had briefly said the protest would continue until all demands were accepted. After the talks concluded, however, the organisation announced the end of the agitation.Dipke also urged supporters not to treat Pradhan's resignation as a personal victory for him, saying the movement was driven by thousands of young people and should remain focused on institutional reforms rather than individuals.Opposition calls it a victory for studentsThe opposition described Pradhan's resignation as a major victory for students and renewed calls for broader reforms in the education system.Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi called the resignation "the victory of the future of India", saying Pradhan had become a symbol of corruption, incompetence and the decline of the country's education system. He said the government must now introduce meaningful reforms and alleged that the issue of police action against student protesters would remain a key matter during the Monsoon Session of Parliament.Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge termed the resignation a "victory of truth" and said Prime Minister Narendra Modi should apologise to the country's youth while ensuring action against those responsible for the alleged use of force against protesters.AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal described the development as a "big win for democracy", while Karnataka chief minister DK Shivakumar said the Congress would continue raising issues concerning students and maintained that peaceful protests were an essential part of democracy.Wangchuk welcomes outcomeClimate activist Sonam Wangchuk welcomed the developments, describing them as "a victory of democracy, direct democracy, peace, patience and perseverance". He congratulated the student movement and thanked citizens across the country for supporting the agitation.His wife, Gitanjali Angmo, also praised the role played by India's younger generation, saying the protests had demonstrated courage, patriotism and commitment to democratic values without violence.Tougher anti-paper leak law proposedThe Centre has proposed major amendments to the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act to ensure faster investigations, time-bound trials and stricter punishment for paper leaks and examination malpractice.The proposed Bill provides for the creation of Special Task Forces (STFs) to investigate offences, completion of investigations within two months, day-to-day hearings in special fast-track courts and disposal of appeals by High Courts within three months.It also significantly increases penalties, proposing jail terms of up to 10 years and fines of up to Rs 10 crore for organised paper leak rackets, along with tougher action against service providers and officials found involved in examination fraud.Biggest political fallout of NEET controversyPradhan's resignation marks the most significant political consequence of the NEET-UG paper leak controversy, which began after allegations of question paper leaks in the May 3 examination.The controversy led to the cancellation of the examination, a nationwide CBI investigation, repeated protests, parliamentary disruptions, changes to the anti-paper leak law and a major restructuring of the National Testing Agency.Pradhan also removed education minister from his X bio following the resignation.Get the latest India News and Live updates. 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